Tommy Ridgley facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Tommy Ridgley
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Tommy Ridgley at the Dream Palace in New Orleans (1996)
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Thomas Herman Ridgley |
| Born | October 30, 1925 New Orleans, Louisiana, United States |
| Died | August 11, 1999 (aged 73) Metairie, Louisiana |
| Genres | Blues, R&B |
| Occupation(s) | Musician, singer, piano player |
| Instruments | Vocals, piano |
| Years active | 1949–1999 |
| Labels | Imperial, Decca, Herald, Atlantic, Ric, Ronn, River City, Black Top |
Thomas Herman Ridgley (born October 30, 1925 – died August 11, 1999) was an American R&B singer, piano player, songwriter, and bandleader. He was a very important part of the music scene in New Orleans, Louisiana for 50 years.
Even though he never had a huge national hit song, like some other artists, he made many popular recordings. These songs sold mostly in New Orleans and Louisiana. His music career started in 1949 and his last song came out in 1995. People said his voice could fit many styles, like Blues, Jump blues, R&B, and Soul. In the late 1950s, he led his own band called The Untouchables. They often played at famous nightclubs and sometimes backed up visiting artists. He released over 40 singles and three albums during his career.
Contents
Biography
Tommy's Early Life
Tommy Ridgley was born in New Orleans. He was the oldest of many brothers and sisters. His family didn't have much money, and he started helping to support them when he was young.
His family's social life was centered around their local church. This is where Tommy began singing in harmony groups. During World War II, he served in the United States Navy. In his free time, he taught himself to play the piano. After the war, he used a program called the G.I. Bill to study music. He went to the Grunewald School of Music.
In 1946, Tommy entered a talent contest. It was held at the Dew Drop Inn, a famous nightclub in New Orleans. He won the contest! This helped him become known as a rising music star.
Music Career
Starting with Dave Bartholomew
Tommy Ridgley began his professional music career in the late 1940s. He started as a singer with a Dixieland group in New Orleans. After a short time with another band, he joined Dave Bartholomew's band. Dave Bartholomew was a famous trumpeter and band leader.
In 1949, Tommy released his first single. It was called Shrewsbury Blues with Early Dawn Boogie on the other side. Dave Bartholomew produced it, and it came out on the new Imperial Records label. This record helped Tommy become known in New Orleans for his jump blues and blues ballads. Tommy was also a good songwriter. He wrote both songs for his next release, I Live My Life and Lavinia.
In 1952, the owner of Imperial Records, Lew Chudd, chose Tommy and Dave Bartholomew to record a song called Looped. It became another hit in New Orleans. Tommy often played this song in his live shows. Later, a song called Tra La La, which Tommy sang with Dave Bartholomew's Orchestra, was covered by another singer named Pat Boone.
Tommy's early singing style was compared to Roy Brown. His reputation grew because Dave Bartholomew's band had amazing musicians. These included drummer Earl Palmer and saxophonists Lee Allen, Herb Hardesty, Red Tyler, and Ernest Allen.
His Own Band: The Untouchables
In 1953, Tommy Ridgley left Dave Bartholomew's band. He signed a contract with Atlantic Records. He recorded songs like I'm Gonna Cross That River and Ooh Lawdy My Baby. Ray Charles played piano on this record! Tommy also recorded Jam Up, a dance song led by the saxophone. This song almost made it onto the national music charts when it was re-recorded in 1961.
By 1957, Tommy was a regular performer in New Orleans' busy R&B scene. He was offered a recording contract with Herald Records. By this time, Tommy had formed his own band, called The Untouchables. Herald released six singles by The Untouchables. Their first song, When I Meet My Girl, was the most popular. Herald Records even gave Tommy the nickname The New King of The Stroll. This was after the original 'king', Chuck Willis, passed away in 1958.
By the end of the 1950s, Tommy Ridgley and The Untouchables were the main band at the famous Dew Drop Inn. They would open for and sometimes play with visiting stars. These included big R&B artists like James Brown, Clyde McPhatter, Sam Cooke, and Little Willie John. Tommy also hired a young singer named Irma Thomas to sing with his band. He later suggested her to Ric Records, where she became famous.
Later Recordings and Performances
In 1960, Tommy Ridgley also signed with Joe Ruffino's Ric Records in New Orleans. He released seven singles on this label. One of his songs, Should I Ever Love Again, was a big seller in 1961. Another song, Double-Eyed Whammy, was later covered by Freddy King. His song In The Same Old Way became one of his most successful records. He even recorded it again later on another label.
After Joe Ruffino passed away in 1962, the record label had problems. Tommy's last two songs on Ric Records were not promoted well. However, these songs, Heavenly and I’ve Heard That Story Before, showed that Tommy could sing in the new soul music style that was becoming popular.
Tommy continued to release songs on smaller labels in the 1960s. One of his songs, My Love is Getting Stronger, became very popular in the UK. It was a favorite on the Northern Soul music scene in the 1970s and 80s.
During the 1970s and 1980s, Tommy didn't record as much. But he still made music for local record labels in New Orleans. He also kept performing around New Orleans and sometimes in Europe. The Untouchables continued to play at the Dew Drop Inn until it closed in 1972. Tommy Ridgley performed at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival every year from 1972 until he passed away in 1999. That's 28 years in a row!
Final Albums
In 1992, almost 50 years into his music career, Tommy Ridgley released his first album of new songs. It was called She Turns Me On and had a mix of Jump blues, New Orleans funk, and soulful ballads. It included new versions of his popular songs like I Want Some Money and Jam Up.
His last album, Since The Blues Began, came out in 1995. Many famous musicians helped him on this album. These included George Porter Jr., Raymond Weber, and Snooks Eaglin.
In January 1999, Tommy Ridgley received a special award. It was the OffBeat magazine's Lifetime Achievement Award. This award honored his long and important career in music.
Tommy Ridgley had health problems in his last few years. He passed away in August 1999 from a serious illness related to his work as a construction worker.
Discography (Albums)
- 1992 How Long? (Sound of New Orleans)
- 1992 She Turns Me On (Modern Blues Recordings)
- 1995 Since The Blues Began (Black Top)
Selected Compilations
- 1977 Through The Years (Sound of New Orleans) (USA)
- 1986 Tommy Ridgley: The early 50's in New Orleans (Pathé Marconi) (France)
- 1988 The New Orleans King of the Stroll (Rounder) (USA)
- 1992 The Herald Recordings (Collectables) (USA)
- 2005 Tommy Ridgley 1949-1954 (Classics) (France)
- 2015 In The Same Old Way: The Complete Ric, Ron and Sho-Biz Recordings (shared with Bobby Mitchell) (Ace) (UK)
- Mardi Gras Jam / Tommy Ridgley & His Orchestra (Blue City) (USA)
